Wednesday, August 06, 2003
Evaluating Treatment Decisions in Bipolar Depression A new CME unit at
Medscape - "In recent years, there has been a much-needed resurgence of interest in the treatment of bipolar depression. This renewed interest has been driven, in part, by research indicating that depressive symptoms and episodes account for greater morbidity and disability than previously appreciated, and by pharmacologic and psychotherapeutic treatment advances. Moreover, other studies indicate that bipolar depression continues to be underrecognized and frequently misdiagnosed, leading to inadequate or improper treatment. In this review, new data regarding the recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of bipolar depression that bear on treatment decisions for bipolar depression are discussed." [Viewing
Medscape resources requires registration, which is free].
New hope for housing mentally ill (Illinois) A
Chicago Daily Herald story reprinted at the NAMI web site on a bill recently signed into law by Gov. Rod Blagojevich that will provide a new approach for housing those who suffer from severe mental illness. By the way, although NAMI's entire
redesigned web site is well worth a long look, one of its most consistent strengths has been the news stories (one a day -- see the
index page of stories to date) that appear courtesy of the prestigious
Lexis Nexis news service.
Hastings official concerned about talk of closing mental health centers (Nebraska) Lincoln Journal Star story - "Allen Bartels, director of behavioral services at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital, said he is concerned as state officials talk about whether to close as many as two regional mental health centers. Nebraska has three regional centers, in Hastings, Norfolk and Lincoln. Gov. Mike Johanns toured the centers last month and said they are old and could be replaced with more community-based programs that might receive more federal funding..."
Mental Health Demand for Houston's Homeless (Texas) KUHF story - "Budget cuts in mental health services are impacting those that work with the homeless. ... The number of homeless people walking through the front doors of SEARCH has increased 40% during the past 18 months. SEARCH provides a number of services, including, food, medicine, housing and job training, to help the homeless get off the streets."
Court rejects Mental Health suit challenge (North Carolina) Fayetteville Observer story - "A lawsuit over whether Cumberland County has shortchanged the county Mental Health Department can proceed, the state Court of Appeals said in a decision released on Tuesday. ... In the Cumberland County case, the local chapter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill sued because in 1997 the county had made a deal to give the Mental Health Department at least $5.3million a year, the decision says. The county cut the payment by nearly $850,000, to $4.46 million, in the 2001-02 fiscal year."
Report Assails D.C. on Children's Mental Health Care Washington Post story - "The District government has been slow to spend millions of dollars budgeted this year for children's mental health services, according to a report released yesterday by a coalition of child advocates that said the shortage of such programs has created 'a time of crisis.' Members of the coalition, which comprises medical workers, parent support groups and nonprofit organizations, said the D.C. Department of Mental Health, created in 2001 to bring the mental health system out of federal court control, has focused on mentally ill adults to the detriment of children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral disorders..."
Appeals court strikes down medication law (Vermont) Times Argus story - "Mental health advocates are hailing a recent federal appeals court decision that ruled part of a state law discriminates against those with mental disabilities. However, the state mental health commissioner said Monday that the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling Friday puts those treating patients with mental illness in a difficult position. The decision struck down a portion of a 1998 state law known as Act 114, which established a process by which certain mentally ill Vermonters could be involuntarily medicated...."
